Bama (finally) Fires OL Coach Kapilovic

[KrAzY3]

Many dont think Grubb capable of doing that.............i.e. Seattle before this year and Seattle now. If he is stubborn and sticks to his guns, then probably so, I dont think he is dumb but depending heavily on the QB isnt a great long term strategy

I don't know if he has to be. I described what to expected from Grubb (running DeBoer's system) heading into the season, and it was as predicted. I agree with you on the concerns and raised those issues. The problem was nothing was done to counter-balance the QB over-reliance.

I think Grubb is a bit of a whipping boy in this scenario because he runs DeBoer's system and this is what DeBoer's system does.

In 2019 Grubb (without DeBoer) took over the Fresno State offense and they had 159 yards per game with an average of 4.9 (that same year DeBoer was calling plays for an offense that averaged 3.7 YPC, a year to year decline of .7 after he took over). That's not amazing, but that's a higher average than DeBoer ever managed and the only year DeBoer had more rushing yards was in 2024 when the QB accounted for 726. Deboer has had more offenses that average less than 4 YPC than Grubb has (assuming it's a tie when they're both there, this includes the Seahawks).

So, while I agree Grubb isn't the solution, he's also not the problem. It's the system and he does implement that system. Bringing in a new OC might fix the running issues, but then you have other problems in reverse. You might have an OC who does not fit the players DeBoer has assembled.

What I was hoping for was a change in the OL coach, but to someone that we know can coach run blocking well (half way there, there will be a change) and perhaps as importantly a run game coordinator. A run game coordinator can emphasize the run, and basically compliment what Grubb and DeBoer are doing.

It's fair to say that both DeBoer and Grubb can be neglectful of the run game, but just bring in someone who isn't to balance that.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

I don't know if he has to be. I described what to expected from Grubb (running DeBoer's system) heading into the season, and it was as predicted. I agree with you on the concerns and raised those issues. The problem was nothing was done to counter-balance the QB over-reliance.

I think Grubb is a bit of a whipping boy in this scenario because he runs DeBoer's system and this is what DeBoer's system does.

In 2019 Grubb (without DeBoer) took over the Fresno State offense and they had 159 yards per game with an average of 4.9 (that same year DeBoer was calling plays for an offense that averaged 3.7 YPC, a year to year decline of .7 after he took over). That's not amazing, but that's a higher average than DeBoer ever managed and the only year DeBoer had more rushing yards was in 2024 when the QB accounted for 726. Deboer has had more offenses that average less than 4 YPC than Grubb has (assuming it's a tie when they're both there, this includes the Seahawks).

So, while I agree Grubb isn't the solution, he's also not the problem. It's the system and he does implement that system. Bringing in a new OC might fix the running issues, but then you have other problems in reverse. You might have an OC who does not fit the player's DeBoer has assembled.

What I was hoping for was a change in the OL coach, but to someone that we know can coach run blocking well (half way there, there will be a change) and perhaps as importantly a run game coordinator. A run game coordinator can emphasize the run, and basically compliment what Grubb and DeBoer are doing.

It's fair to say that both DeBoer and Grubb can be neglectful of the run game, but just bring in someone who isn't to balance that.

And balance is what everyone wants

 

[81usaf92]

Well, Rams are out of the playoffs.

Huff went there as the TE coach after the Seahawks thing went sideways. He's been a TE coach more than once, it would be very interesting if Alabama was able to add both Huff and Klemm but that does seem unlikely.

Furthermore Huff had the chance initially to join Alabama, I think technically he might have even agreed to along with Grubb, but he hasn't left the west coast at all from what I can tell.

Huff was hired and at the signing day event with Grubb in 2024. Then 3 days later both accepted jobs in Seattle.

 

[JDCrimson]

Seattle is not in the Super Bowl this year with Grubb still as OC...

A 1 year tenure in any role is usually not an indicator of high performance...

 

[Oregon Tide]

Chris Low saying it's Klemm for sure. We'll wait to see if he's one of two.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015935783673246014

 

[Stonecoldtide]

Seattle is not in the Super Bowl this year with Grubb still as OC...

A 1 year tenure in any role is usually not an indicator of high performance...

Good point. I think they assessed he was in way over his head and quickly cut their loses. Appears to have been a great call. I do not believe Grubb is any better than BOB.

 

[JDCrimson]

Good point. I think they assessed he was in way over his head and quickly cut their loses. Appears to have been a great call. I do not believe Grubb is any better than BOB.

I actually think BOB was better minus Marrone...

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

Good point. I think they assessed he was in way over his head and quickly cut their loses. Appears to have been a great call. I do not believe Grubb is any better than BOB.

That is a sentiment shared in many quarters...........

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

Chris Low saying it's Klemm for sure. We'll wait to see if he's one of two.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015935783673246014

Being reported in other places as well...............wonder who #2 is?

 

[AlexanderFan]

Good point. I think they assessed he was in way over his head and quickly cut their loses. Appears to have been a great call. I do not believe Grubb is any better than BOB.

They also got a new starting quarterback.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I see more about his recruiting than his line coaching, isn’t that who just got fired?

 

[KrAzY3]

I see more about his recruiting than his line coaching, isn’t that who just got fired?

I think based on what I saw he was probably (when dialed in/healthy) a better run blocking OL coach (didn't try to figure out pass protection) than Kap but that isn't saying much. UCLA fans seem to have seen him more as a recruiter as well.

He was certainly a recruiter first, and one with valid concerns about reliability. If they compliment the hire with someone else that can fill in for him if needs be, or do part of the job (yes, even Huff who I'm not crazy about) as an exterior coach or something, it would make me feel better.

But, prior to 2.9 YPC trainwreck year at UCLA, he had a string of 4.5s and then finally 4.9 and 5.0.

Kap, remarkably also has 2.9 YPC (how does one find multiple guys who have had dreadful rushing offenses?) which was good for 129th. Before that it was 3.8, 4.8!, and 2.7 at Michigan St. That was good for the 125th ranked rushing offense in college football. Michigan St. fans could not understand why Alabama hired him in the first place.

So, it would be hard for Klemm to be worst than Kap, but... also not sure he's going to solve the problems by himself either.

 

[Transplanted]

I think based on what I saw he was probably (when dialed in/healthy) a better run blocking OL coach (didn't try to figure out pass protection) than Kap but that isn't saying much. UCLA fans seem to have seen him more as a recruiter as well.

He was certainly a recruiter first, and one with valid concerns about reliability. If they compliment the hire with someone else that can fill in for him if needs be, or do part of the job (yes, even Huff who I'm not crazy about) as an exterior coach or something, it would make me feel better.

But, prior to 2.9 YPC trainwreck year at UCLA, he had a string of 4.5s and then finally 4.9 and 5.0.

Kap, remarkably also has 2.9 YPC (how does one find multiple guys who have had dreadful rushing offenses?) which was good for 129th. Before that it was 3.8, 4.8!, and 2.7 at Michigan St. That was good for the 125th ranked rushing offense in college football. Michigan St. fans could not understand why Alabama hired him in the first place.

So, it would be hard for Klemm to be worst than Kap, but... also not sure he's going to solve the problems by himself either.

Great post. Yep, Kaps historical numbers were always mediocre to bad so it was probably a quick fix hire when Huff didn’t come.

Klemm is better overall but has been such a rollercoaster a second guy seems extra necessary.

 

[Rocky Mtn Bob]

Alabama reportedly hiring former NFL veteran as offensive line coach

Alabama is reportedly hiring former NFL veteran assistant Adrian Klemm as the Crimson Tide's next offensive line coach.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Rocky Mtn Bob]

I'm a fan, not an experienced football guy. But this whole past season even I could see we had problems on the OL. Both with personnel and whoever was coaching them....

I cannot adequately express what relief I'm feeling, now that we have Coach Klemm.

I just hope Klemm will have the backbone to say to Grubb, "No! We're not doing eight of those spread-out-the-line-and-reverse-field-three-times-so-a-WR-ends-up-as-RB!"

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I'm a fan, not an experienced football guy. But this whole past season even I could see we had problems on the OL. Both with personnel and whoever was coaching them....

I cannot adequately express what relief I'm feeling, now that we have Coach Klemm.

I just hope Klemm will have the backbone to say to Grubb, "No! We're not doing eight of those spread-out-the-line-and-reverse-field-three-times-so-a-WR-ends-up-as-RB!"

The thing that bothered me the most was when former players who played the OL on a pro level say when they watch film, they see a group of linemen appearing to not know what theyre doing. Mike Johnson wasn't the only former player who pointed that out. That is a sign of bad coaching.

Granted, I still would like know the role Grubb plays in the plays hes calls and what the OL does. I know this, Seattle's HC had zero problem of dumping the entire blame on Grubb when they fired him.

 

[bamamc1]

I actually think BOB was better minus Marrone...

Marrone was the worst hire of Coach Saban's career and I think he would admit that as well.

 

[bamaga]

Seattle is not in the Super Bowl this year with Grubb still as OC...

A 1 year tenure in any role is usually not an indicator of high performance...

Probably not, but they have changed their offensive philosophy. They went heavy in the run game, which may be further indictment of CRG.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Probably not, but they have changed their offensive philosophy. They went heavy in the run game, which may be further indictment of CRG.

MacDonald sure seemed to think Grubb was the problem. He didn't mince any words about him when he let him go. He said he was a talented OC but his philosophy and vision for the offense didn't match up with what he (Macdonald) thought was best for the team. He even acknowledged that Geno put up some career highs in yardage and Njigba had a very good statistical year, but he wanted the offense to be more "efficient" and "smart moving the ball". Just in his one year as our OC, I can see what MacDonald could mean about being more "efficient" and "smart moving the ball". Grubb called a lot of wasted plays that stumped what started off as productive drives. If he did any of that stuff with Seattle I can see why MacDonald got tired of it.

 

[Isaiah 63:1]

They also got a new starting quarterback.

It's a team sport, and although Darnold 2025 explains a little, he was not dramatically better than Smith 2024. Darnold 2025 had a 6 point better passer rating than Smith 2024 while attempting 17% fewer passes, but only had a 6% drop in passing yards because (and I know this concept will come as a shock to us all) Seattle ran the ball 1/3 more for 29% more yards. I think it's safe to assume that more rushing attack forced opponents' defenses to defend more of the field and opened up more passing lanes. It also produced 18 more field goal attempts and 15 more made field goals, or about half of the Seahawks' 6 points per-game offensive improvement over 2024.

Seattle's defense also improved by about 4 ppg (from 11th in the NFL to #1).